This report on progress supports the commitment in the Federal Sustainable Development Act (S.C. 2008, c. 33) (FSDA) to make environmental decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament. It also contributes to an integrated, whole‑of‑government view of activities supporting environmental sustainability.
The departmental information reported accounts for information previously prepared in accordance with Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
This report details CFIA individual departmental actions that support the targets and/or goals of the 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). For information on the Government of Canada's overall progress on the targets of the FSDS, please see the FSDS Progress Report, which, per the requirements of the strengthened Federal Sustainable Development Act, is released at least once in each 3 year period.
Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
The 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada's sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. CFIA adheres to the principles of the FSDS, and while CFIA completed a 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) on a voluntary basis, it has developed this report to demonstrate progress in implementing its DSDS.
Section 2: Sustainable development in the CFIA
The CFIA's 2020 to 2023 DSDS describes the department's actions in support of achieving the goals of:
greening Government
healthy wildlife populations
sustainable food
connecting Canadians with nature
This report presents available results for the departmental actions pertinent to this these goals. Previous years' reports are posted on the CFIA's FSDS page.
This report details CFIA individual departmental actions that support the targets and/or goals of the 2019 to 2022 FSDS. For information on the Government of Canada's overall progress on the targets of the FSDS, please see the FSDS Progress Report, which, per the requirements of the strengthened Federal Sustainable Development Act, is released at least once in each 3 year period
Section 3: Departmental performance by FSDS goal
The following tables provide performance information on departmental actions in support of the FSDS goals listed in section 2:
CFIA is supporting the Government of Canada's "Greening Government" efforts through a range of measures to reduce its:
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
the disposal of material to landfill
climate change risks to its services and operations
These measures include:
improving the energy efficiency of its own buildings
reducing its fleet emissions and using telematics to right-size fleet
assessing institutional climate change risks
environmental considerations in its procurement instruments
Contribution to carbon-neutral transactions of CFIA domestic office leases is supported by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). Progress against this goal also addresses commitments from the Greening Government Strategy, as well as reporting requirements under the Policy on Green Procurement.
Greening Government: The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient, and green operations
Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target
Reduce GHG emissions from federal government facilities and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 (with an aspiration to achieve this target by 2025) and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050 (with an aspiration to be carbon neutral)
All new buildings and major building retrofits will prioritize low-carbon investments based on integrated design principles, and life-cycle and total-cost-of ownership assessments which incorporate shadow carbon pricing
Develop a real property strategy assessing current and future program and space requirements to optimize our real property portfolio holdings to meet future program needs
Undertake a strategic evaluation of our real property to determine the most cost-effective pathway to achieve low-carbon operations
Collaborate with Public Service and Procurement Canada to conduct a carbon neutral assessment of the future laboratory in Sidney to determine the feasibility of constructing a net-zero carbon building
Incorporate the price of carbon in infrastructure projects and asset improvements over $5M
Incorporate a 'green lens' to all scientific equipment purchases
Buildings:
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from facilities in fiscal year 2005-06 (base year) = 26.7 ktCO2e
GHG emissions from facilities in current reporting fiscal year = 17.7 ktCO2e
Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from facilities from fiscal year 2005-06 to current reporting fiscal year = 34%
By undertaking a strategic evaluation of facilities in our real property portfolio, we will be able to identify technologies, practices, and strategies available, and determine the investment required, to reduce carbon emissions from building and science operations in our facilities
By conducting a carbon neutral assessment of the planned laboratory in Sidney, we will identify the feasibility of achieving a net-zero carbon building and a pathway to achieve significant decarbonisation
CFIA is ensuring that energy efficient and low-carbon options are being considered in infrastructure and asset improvements over $5M
By applying a 'green lens' to all scientific equipment purchases, CFIA is holding managers accountable to consider energy efficient options when available
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Fleet management will be optimized including by applying telematics to collect and analyze vehicle usage data on vehicles scheduled to be replaced
Use telematics analysis to right-size fleet
Promote behavior change – for example, anti-idling campaigns, driver training
Develop a strategic approach and take actions to decarbonize fleets
Fleet:
GHG emissions from fleet in fiscal year 2005–06 (base year) = 6.4 ktCO2e
GHG emissions from fleet in current reporting fiscal year 2021-22 = 3.3 ktCO2e
Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from fleet from fiscal year 2005-06 to current reporting fiscal year = 53%
Rationalization of fleets via retirement of GHG emitting vehicles will further reduce GHG emissions
Divert at least 75% (by weight) of non-hazardous operational waste from landfills by 2030
Other
Develop and implement strategies to increase waste diversion rate in laboratory operations
Track and disclose waste diversion rates by 2022
Starting point:
Baseline to be established after the first year of reporting (2022)
Performance indicators:
From fiscal year 2020 to 2021 (for facilities >10,000 m2, and in municipalities >100,000):
Mass of non-hazardous operational waste generated in the year (tonnes)
Mass of non-hazardous operational waste diverted in the year (tonnes)
Percentage (%) of non-hazardous operational waste diverted
Target:
75% of non-hazardous operational waste diverted by 2030
From fiscal year 2021 to 2022 (for facilities >10,000 m2 and in municipalities >100,000):
Mass of non-hazardous operational waste generated in the year (tonnes): 116 Tonnes
Mass of non-hazardous operational waste diverted in the year (tonnes): 111 Tonnes
Percentage (%) of non-hazardous operational waste diverted: 73%
By prioritizing the diversion and reduction of waste in CFIA-owned buildings and operations, CFIA will help to reduce Scope 3Table Note 1 emissions from the production, transport and disposal of material
Diverting waste from landfill reduces landfill gas and transport hauling emissions
Material recovery via recycling reduces emissions for the extraction and production of virgin materials.
Divert at least 75% (by weight) of plastic waste from landfills by 2030
Other
Eliminate the unnecessary use of single-use plastics in government operations, events, and meetings through efforts on education and awareness
When procuring products that contain plastics, promote the procurement of sustainable plastic products and the reduction of associated plastic packaging waste
Track and disclose waste diversion rates by 2022
Starting point:
Baseline to be established after the first year of reporting (2022)
Performance indicators:
From fiscal year 2020 to 2021 (for facilities >10,000 m2, and in municipalities >100,000):
Mass of plastic waste generated in the year (tonnes)
Mass of plastic waste diverted in the year (tonnes)
Percentage (%) of plastic waste diverted
Target:
75% of plastic waste diverted by 2030
From fiscal year 2021 to 2022 (for facilities >10,000 m2, and in municipalities >100,000):
Mass of plastic waste generated in the year (tonnes): 2806 Tonnes
Mass of plastic waste diverted in the year (tonnes): 1186 Tonnes
Percentage (%) of plastic waste diverted: 42%
Single-use plastics are widely used in laboratories worldwide
The agency will continue to seek feasible alternatives for laboratory supplies and other opportunities to reduce plastic waste.
By discouraging the use of single-use plastics in operations, CFIA will help to reduce Scope 3 emissions from the production, transport and disposal of material
Diverting waste from landfill reduces landfill gas and transport waste hauling emissions
Material recovery via recycling reduces emissions for the extraction and production of virgin materials
Divert at least 90% (by weight) of all construction and demolition waste from landfills (striving to achieve 100% by 2030)
Other
Track and disclose waste diversion rates by 2022
Starting point:
Baseline to be established after the first year of reporting (2022)
Performance indicators:
From fiscal year 2020-21 (for projects where construction is estimated over $5M):
Mass of construction and demolition waste generated in the year (tonnes)
Mass of construction and demolition waste diverted in the year (tonnes)
Percentage (%) of construction and demolition waste diverted
Target:
90% of construction, renovation, and demolition waster diverted by 2030
In 2021 to 2022, there were no projects where the minimum estimated construction cost was over $5M
By tracking construction and demolition waste diversion rates, CFIA will be able to plan more effectively for waste management to help reduce Scope 3 emissions from the production, transport and disposal of material
Diverting waste from landfill reduces landfill gas and transport waste hauling emissions
Material recovery via recycling reduces emissions for the extraction and production of virgin materials
Our administrative fleet will be comprised of at least 80% zero-emission vehicles by 2030
Fleet management will be optimized including by applying telematics to collect and analyze vehicle usage data on vehicles scheduled to be replaced
Prioritize zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) or hybrids in fleet vehicle purchases
All new executive vehicle purchases will be zero-emission vehicles or hybrids
Starting point:
In 2019 to 2020:
Total number of vehicles in fleet = 1220
Percentage of annual fleet purchases that are ZEV or hybrid = 22%
Percentage of ZEV or hybrid in fleet = 1%
Executive vehicle ZEV or hybrid purchases = 1
Number of vehicles logged via telematics = 692
Performance indicators:
Total number of vehicles in fleet
Percentage of annual fleet purchases that are ZEV or hybrid
Percentage of ZEV in fleet
Executive vehicle ZEV or hybrid purchases
Number of vehicles logged via telematics
Target:
80% of vehicles are ZEV by 2030
Total number of vehicles in fleet: 1138
Percentage of annual fleet purchases that are ZEV or hybrid: 100%
Percentage of ZEV and hybrid in fleet = 8%
Percentage of ZEV in fleet = 1%
Executive vehicle ZEV or hybrid purchases = 0
Number of vehicles logged via telematics = 1094
96% of vehicles are logged by telematics
As conventional vehicles are replaced over their lifetimes with ZEVs, and/or the size of the fleet is reduced, a greater proportion of the fleet will be ZEV
By 2022, departments have developed measures to reduce climate change risks to assets, services and operations
Increase training and support on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments and developing adaptation actions to public service employees, and facilitate sharing of best practices and lessons learned
Identify and assess CFIA climate change vulnerabilities and risks to support a climate change adaptation plan
Inform CFIA employees on potential impacts of climate change on the assets, services and operations of the agency, and means by which they may fight and adapt to climate change
Include climate change in business continuity planning
Maintain inventory of adopted and potential measures that would mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases and support resilience
Starting point:
Risk and vulnerability assessment not initiated
Performance indicators:
Progress in the development of a corporate risk assessment
Corporate risk and business continuity plans integrate considerations of climate change mitigation and adaptation
Targets:
Complete corporate risk assessment by March 31, 2023
All corporate risk and business continuity plans integrate considerations of climate change mitigation and adaptation by March 31 2023
A preliminary CFIA Climate Change Risk and Vulnerability Assessment has been completed
CFIA business continuity plans integrate all hazards, including climate change hazards, such as severe weather events like floods, tornadoes etc.
Factoring climate variability and change into policy, programs, and operations is one of the most important ways the government can adapt to a changing climate and is consistent with the government's risk management approach of enhancing the protection of public assets and resources and strengthening planning and decision-making
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and targets:
SDG 13: Climate Action
Target 13.2 - Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
Target 13.3 - Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning
Use 100% clean electricity by 2025
Other
Purchase megawatt hours of renewable electricity by participating in Power Purchase Agreements where available
Starting point:
In 2018 to 2019, 74% of electricity consumption was clean electricity
Performance indicators:
Electricity consumption (MWh) in the year
Electricity consumption (MWh) from non-emitting sources (including renewable energy certificates) in the year
Percentage (%) of clean electricity purchased
Target:
Purchase 100% clean electricity by 2025
In 2021 to 2022, 69.9% of electricity consumption was clean electricity
This represents a decrease of 4.1% from the 2018 to 2019 starting point.
The result reflects the limited availability of credits in the clean energy grid that CFIA could purchase.
In 2021 to 2022, CFIA pursued agreements that will increase the potential to purchase credits in the future.
The use of clean electricity eliminates GHG emissions in jurisdictions with emitting generation sources
Actions supporting the goal:
Greening Government
Departments will use environmental criteria to reduce the environmental impact and ensure best value in government procurement decisions
Include environmental considerations in procurement instruments
Fulfill the requirements of the Policy on Green Procurement related to training, employee performance evaluations, procurement management processes and controls and using common use procurement instruments
Performance indicators:
Percentage (%) of procurement and material management specialists that completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course
Percentage (%) of identified managers and functional heads of procurement and material that have performance agreements that clearly include support and contribution toward green procurement
Targets:
100% of procurement and material management specialists have completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course measured annually
100% of identified managers and functional heads of procurement and material have performance agreements that clearly include support and contribution toward green procurement
Percentage (%) of procurement and material management specialists that completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course = 100%
Percentage (%) of identified managers and functional heads of procurement and material management that have performance agreements that clearly include support and contribution toward green procurement = 100%
Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to encourage suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they provide, directly and across their supply chains
Table Notes
Table Note 1
Scope 1, 2, and 3 refers to a classification system used to describe the source of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions from an entity. Scope 3 emissions are the result of indirect activities of an organization, for example from the production and transportation of waste materials or employee travel. Scope 3 emissions typically have the largest impact on an entity's carbon footprint – up to 70%.
The FSDS goal "Healthy wildlife populations" captures commitments to protect and conserve wildlife in Canada. Some species in Canada have experienced population declines as a result of habitat loss or deterioration. One cause is invasive alien species – plants, animals and even microorganisms that become established outside of their natural range and are capable of causing significant harm to the environment, economy or society. Human activity and climate change, including warmer temperatures further north, have contributed to the introduction and spread of invasive alien species in Canada. CFIA contributes to the protection of natural habitats for wildlife populations by minimizing the introduction and spread of invasive plants and plant pests.
Healthy wildlife populations: All species have healthy and viable populations
Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target
Actions supporting the goal: Healthy wildlife populations
Healthy wildlife populations
Promote compliance with import and domestic phytosanitary requirements including cargo and facility inspections and audits of alternative service delivery programs
Develop and implement regulatory options for new invasive plants, plant pests, and pathways to limit the impact of invasive plants and plant pests on Canada's environmental resources, such as forests and agricultural lands
Consult Canadians on regulatory options for new invasive plants, plant pests, and pathways
Starting point:
36 regulated plant pest species already established in Canada in 2020
Performance indicator:
Number of new plant pest and invasive plant species established in Canada (for new plant pests) or in a new area of Canada – other than what would be expected by natural spread (for already established pests)
Target:
< 1 species per year
1 new plant pest entered and established in Canada – the lesser pea weevil
4 previously established pests spread to new areas of Canada, other than what would be expected by natural spread - spongy moth, Japanese beetle, potato wart, and Japanese stiltgrass.
CFIA strives to minimize the spread and introduction of invasive alien species that affect Canada's plant resources by promoting compliance and carrying out enforcement activities.
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and targets:
SDG 15: Life On Land
Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species
Context: Sustainable food
Canada's food system, including agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, and food and beverage processing, provides safe and healthy food for Canadians, helps ensure long-term food security and is an important part of our economy. Canada's food supply chain has proven to be resilient, but there have been challenges in 2021 to 2022. For example, climate events, including devastating floods and fires, impacted transportation of food. International trade and supply chain issues, challenges with labour availability, increasing costs and other market issues have all had some impact on Canada's food system. These challenges, caused by and/or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, have highlighted systemic issues in the Canadian food system far beyond CFIA's mandate, but also underscored the criticality of the work CFIA undertakes to contribute to a sustainable, reliable food supply. CFIA's broad and integrated focus, encompassing food safety as well as animal and plant health, has enabled it to contribute to Canada's sustainable food goal in demonstrable ways.
Sustainable food: Innovation and ingenuity contribute to a world-leading agricultural sector and food economy for the benefit of all Canadians
Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target
Actions supporting the goal: Sustainable food
Work with partners to address invasive alien species
Participate in international fora such as the International Plant Protection Convention, and the North American Plant Protection Organization
Foster partnerships with trading partners, provincial invasive species councils and agricultural, forestry horticultural and transportation stakeholders
Starting point:
Not applicable
Performance indicator:
Number of new partnership initiatives such as international collaboration, standard setting, consultation, outreach, research, information sharing and alternative service delivery
Target:
≥3 initiatives completed per year
37 new partnership initiatives established
Canada's food system, including aquaculture and fisheries, provides safe and healthy food for Canadians and helps ensure long-term food security
To ensure safe, sustainable and secure food, CFIA protects food systems from hazards that make it injurious to human health
CFIA works with international and domestic partners and stakeholders to minimize threats to plant resources, such as diseases, pests, and invasive alien species
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and targets:
SDG 15: Life On Land
Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species
Actions supporting the goal: Sustainable food but do not directly support a specific FSDS target
Use legislation and regulations to ensure safe food
Continue working with industry to facilitate the implementation of requirements under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) such as:
licensing to identify food businesses and take responsive action when non-compliant activities are found
preventive controls to mitigate risks and
traceability to reduce the time to remove unsafe food from the market
CFIA will support implementation of the requirements across the sectors through targeted outreach, webinars and guidance materials
Starting point:
2 agri-food sectors
Performance indicator:
Number of agri-food sectors subject to requirements under the SFCR through a phased-in approach
Target:
5 agri-food sectors
1 additional agri-food sector implemented in 2021 to 2022 to complete the implementation of the SFCR in all 5 agri-food sectors
All agri-food are now fully subject to the SFCR. The 5 agri-food sectors were phased in between 2019 and 2021
Canada's integrated, outcome-based food safety system sets out the requirements for the food industry and allows better monitoring and maintenance of food safety practices at the domestic and international levels that will support agri-food exports
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and targets:
SDG 2: Zero hunger
Target 2.1: By 2030 end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round
Actions supporting the goal: Sustainable food but do not directly support a specific FSDS target
Use legislation and regulations to ensure safe food
Collaborates with partners to promote compliance under the Health of Animals Act and the Feeds Act
Starting point:
99.7% in 2018-19
Performance indicator:
Percentage of businesses in compliance with the Health of Animals Act and the Feeds Act
Target:
Greater than or equal to 90%
97% of businesses in compliance with the Health of Animals Act and the Feeds Act
This year's result indicates a 1% increase over last year's result and reflects a high level of overall compliance
By collaborating with partners through initiatives such as Animal Health Canada and stakeholder groups such as the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council, CFIA reduces the risks associated with diseases and toxic substances that may affect animals or that may be transmitted by animals to persons, respecting the protection of animals, and supporting the safety of food
CFIA promotes compliance of businesses with Canada's animal health and feed programs through on-site inspections and controls
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and Targets:
SDG 2: Zero hunger
Target 2.1: By 2030 end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round
Context: Connecting Canadians with nature
Ensuring that current and future generations of Canadians have opportunities to experience and connect with nature is at the centre of this FSDS goal. Through outreach and awareness activities, CFIA helps to reinforce the shared responsibility of managing invasive species in nature. Canadians rely on the CFIA for important information on food safety, and plant and animal health. The agency's digital platforms are the primary source of this information for the public. The agency's website received over 17 million views and over 7 million visits in 2021 to 2022, and over 338,000 people follow CFIA on social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Notably, in 2021 to 2022, the CFIA ran 14 advertising campaigns in support of the agency's mandate and emerging issues. These campaigns aimed to inform Canadians about protecting Canada's plants from invasive species.
Connecting Canadians with nature: Canadians are informed about the value of nature, experience nature first hand, and actively engage in its stewardship
Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target
Actions supporting the goal: Connecting Canadians with nature but do not directly support a specific FSDS target
Connecting Canadians with Nature
Create and deliver communications activities to encourage Canadians to prevent the spread of invasive alien species when out in nature—for example, thoroughly, clean your boots and equipment, don't move firewood, and report any sightings of potential pests to federal and provincial governments
Starting point:
Not monitored under baseline year 2020
Performance indicator:
Number of outreach and educational activities conducted
Target:
≥10 per year
Performance indicator:
Number of unique outreach and educational materials prepared for distribution via a variety of media
Target:
≥20 per year
Building on the International Year of the Plant, CFIA continued to create educational materials and conduct outreach to help Canadians learn about the risk of invasive species and how to help prevent the spread of plant pests
This includes materials to support 14 outreach and educational activities
Over 40 unique products were created for distribution through a variety of media
Outreach and awareness activities and campaigns such as "Don't move firewood" and messaging both online and in print help to reinforce the shared responsibility of managing invasive species
Examples include paid and unpaid social media, brochures, proactive media outreach, news releases on findings and changes in regulated areas, web content, internal communications, partnerships with other government departments and stakeholders, meetings and conferences, and media interviews
Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and targets:
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Target 12.8 – By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
Section 4: Report on integrating sustainable development
During the 2021 to 2022 reporting cycle, CFIA had no proposals that required a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and no public statements were produced.
